Recent earthquakes in Hawaii
Hawaii's earthquakes are driven mainly by volcanic activity and the weight of the islands on the Pacific Plate, rather than by a plate boundary. Magma movement beneath Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, and stresses deep beneath the islands, generate frequent earthquakes. The 1868 Kaʻū earthquake (about M7.9) and the 2018 Kīlauea eruption sequence (M6.9) were major events. In the past 24 hours, Hawaii has recorded no earthquakes above the reporting threshold.
Counts include M2.5+ events — the smallest size USGS reports consistently worldwide.
Recent earthquakes
| Magnitude | Time (UTC) | Depth | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| M3.3 | Oct 23, 15:52 UTC | 29 km | 3 km SSW of Pāhala, Hawaii |
| M2.7 | Oct 22, 19:32 UTC | -1 km | 27 km E of Honaunau-Napoopoo, Hawaii |
| M2.8 | Oct 20, 16:31 UTC | 34 km | 17 km SSE of Pāhala, Hawaii |
Notable recent activity
An M3.3 earthquake struck 3 km SSW of Pāhala, Hawaii at 15:52 UTC on Oct 23 at a depth of 29 km.
An M2.8 earthquake struck 17 km SSE of Pāhala, Hawaii at 16:31 UTC on Oct 20 at a depth of 34 km.
An M2.7 earthquake struck 27 km E of Honaunau-Napoopoo, Hawaii at 19:32 UTC on Oct 22 at a depth of -1 km.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Hawaii have earthquakes?
Most of Hawaii's earthquakes are tied to its volcanoes — caused by magma moving underground and by the immense weight of the islands flexing the Pacific Plate. This makes the Big Island, home to active Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, the most seismically active.
Are Hawaii's earthquakes linked to eruptions?
Frequently, yes. Swarms of earthquakes often accompany magma movement before and during eruptions, as during Kīlauea's 2018 activity. Larger earthquakes can also result from the volcanic edifices shifting on the underlying crust.
What was the biggest earthquake in Hawaii?
The April 2, 1868 Kaʻū earthquake on the Big Island, estimated at magnitude 7.9, is the largest in Hawaii's recorded history and caused a deadly tsunami and landslides. The May 4, 2018 magnitude 6.9 earthquake accompanied Kīlauea's eruption.
Nearby regions
Live data from the USGS earthquake feeds. Magnitudes and depths are automated readings and may be revised. Not for emergency use.